Methods and arrangements employing digital content items

Abstract

Methods and arrangements for identifying content, and employing such identification, are detailed. One method embeds a plural-bit digital watermark into content, but first checks to see if the content is previously watermarked. Another method applies a digital watermark detection procedure to only a sub-portion of a digital content item. Yet another arrangement involves plural-portion content, where one portion is watermarked with first data governing its rights management, and another portion is watermarked with second data governing its rights management. Still another method concerns distribution of content items, where each is watermarked with a unique ID as part of the distribution process. Yet another method concerns deriving an identifier from content, and using the content to access related metadata from a remote computer system. Still other methods concern arrangements for recognizing content, and then providing links to information about the content creator, etc., in response. A variety of other technologies and improvements are also detailed.

1. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:
 the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process audio content; 
 responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content; 
 without further user request, the user device processor taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and 
 in response to a further user request, the user device processor initiating a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen of the user device, of a web page associated with an artist involved with creation of the content. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first information comprises a copyright symbol. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the algorithm is applied by the processor of the user device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  that includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving back from the remote computer a link to the web page. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the algorithm derives signature data from the content, by which it can be identified. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the algorithm comprises a digital watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  that includes:
 sampling a non-digital form of the content, and producing a digital counterpart thereto; and 
 applying the algorithm to the digital counterpart. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  in which the user request comprises a request to render the content to the user. 
     
     
       9. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:
 the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process audio content; 
 responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content; 
 without further user request, the user device processor taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and 
 in response to a further user request, the user device processor initiating a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen of the user device, of a web page through which the user can make a purchase related to the content. 
 
     
     
       10. A method performed by a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:
 the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process audio content; 
 responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content; 
 without further user request, the user device processor taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and 
 in response to a further user request, the user device processor initiating a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen of the user device, of a web page through which the user can download additional content. 
 
     
     
       11. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:
 the user device processor receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, to process audio content; 
 responsive to said request, applying an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content; 
 without further user request, the user device processor taking a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; and 
 in response to a further user request, the user device processor initiating a second action relating to said content; 
 the method including, as part of one of said actions: 
 sending data to a remote computer system; 
 receiving information in response to said sending, the received information including a web link; and 
 presenting a graphical feature associated with the web link to the user on the display screen of the user device, for activation by the user. 
 
     
     
       12. A method employing a user device having a processor configured to perform acts of the method and having an interface for user inputs and having a display screen for outputs of information to a user, the method comprising the acts:
 receiving a user request, through the interface of the user device, for processing audio content, the requested content processing including attempting a recognition operation based on characteristics of the audio; and 
 following a successful recognition operation, the user device processor undertaking actions including:
 presenting first corresponding information on the display screen of the user device; and also 
 displaying first and second user interface features, the first user interface feature being selectable by the user to request further information about a creator of the content, the second user interface feature being selectable by the user to initiate a search. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  in which the first user interface feature comprises a graphical feature associated with a link to a web site for the creator. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  that includes receiving the web link from a remote computer, responsive to an output from said recognition operation. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12  wherein the first corresponding information comprises a copyright symbol. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12  wherein the first corresponding information comprises text. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12  wherein the recognition operation is performed by the user device. 
     
     
       18. A system including a user device and a remote server, each including a processor and a memory storing software instructions, the software instructions directing the system to perform the following acts:
 receive a user request, through an interface of the user device, to process audio content; 
 apply an algorithm to data representing at least some of the content; 
 without further user request, take a first action based on an output from the algorithm, the first action including presenting first information on a display screen of the user device; 
 based on an output from the algorithm, identifying a web site associated with a creator of the content; and 
 in response to a further user request, loading graphical data for display to the user from said web site. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1  in which the first information serves to inform the user as to an attribute of the content. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  in which the first information serves to inform the user that copyright has been asserted in said content. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 1  in which the user device processor applies the algorithm, and the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1  in which the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation using a Fourier transformation, and discerning spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1  in which:
 the user device processor applies an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 in which the first action includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 1  in which the algorithm includes performing a domain transformation to produce frequency domain data corresponding to said data representing content, processing the frequency domain data to identify a pattern of peaks in the frequency domain, and producing identification data by reference to said pattern of peaks, wherein the output from said algorithm comprises the identification data. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 1  in which the first action comprises sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen of the user device, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 1  wherein the algorithm is applied by the processor of the user device, and the method includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving, in response, a link to a web page. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 9  wherein the algorithm comprises a digital watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 9  in which the first information serves to inform the user as to an attribute of the content. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 9  in which the user device processor applies an algorithm to said data to transform same into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 9  in which the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation using a Fourier transformation, and discerning spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 9  in which:
 the user device processor applies an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 in which the first action includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 9  in which the algorithm includes performing a domain transformation to produce frequency domain data corresponding to said data representing content, processing the frequency domain data to identify a pattern of peaks in the frequency domain, and producing identification data by reference to said pattern of peaks, wherein the output from said algorithm comprises the identification data. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 9  in which the first action comprises sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen of the user device, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 9  wherein the algorithm is applied by the processor of the user device, and the method includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving, in response, a link to a web page. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 10  wherein the algorithm comprises a digital watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 10  in which the first information serves to inform the user as to an attribute of the content. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 10  in which the user device processor applies an algorithm to said data to transform same into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 10  in which the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation using a Fourier transformation, and discerning spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 10  in which:
 the user device processor applies an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 in which the first action includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 10  in which the algorithm includes performing a domain transformation to produce frequency domain data corresponding to said data representing content, processing the frequency domain data to identify a pattern of peaks in the frequency domain, and producing identification data by reference to said pattern of peaks, wherein the output from said algorithm comprises the identification data. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 10  in which the first action comprises sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen of the user device, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 10  wherein the algorithm is applied by the processor of the user device, and the method includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving, in response, a link to a web page. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 11  wherein the algorithm comprises a digital watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 11  in which the first information serves to inform the user as to an attribute of the content. 
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 11  in which the user device processor applies an algorithm to said data to transform same into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 11  in which the algorithm includes transforming data representing the content into a frequency domain representation using a Fourier transformation, and discerning spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 11  in which:
 the user device processor applies an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 in which the first action includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 11  in which the algorithm includes performing a domain transformation to produce frequency domain data corresponding to said data representing content, processing the frequency domain data to identify a pattern of peaks in the frequency domain, and producing identification data by reference to said pattern of peaks, wherein the output from said algorithm comprises the identification data. 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 11  in which the first action comprises sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen of the user device, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 11  wherein the algorithm is applied by the processor of the user device, and the method includes transmitting an output of the algorithm to a remote computer and receiving, in response, a link to a web page. 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 12  that includes the user device processor attempting the recognition operation, sending an output from the recognition operation to a remote computer system, and receiving information including a link to a web page in response. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 51  in which the recognition operation comprises a digital watermark decoding operation. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 12  in which the user device processor, in connection with the recognition operation, applies a Fourier transformation to the content to yield frequency domain data, and identifies spectral peaks in said frequency domain data. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 12  in which the first corresponding information serves to inform the user as to an attribute of the content. 
     
     
       55. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:
 receive user input relating to audio content; 
 in response to the user input, apply an algorithm to data representing said audio content; 
 without further user input, take a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen; and 
 in response to a further user request, initiate a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen, of information associated with an artist involved with creation of the content. 
 
     
     
       56. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 55  in which the algorithm comprises a watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       57. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 55  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       58. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 55  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation, and discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       59. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 55  in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:
 apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 take a first action that includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       60. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 55  in which the first action includes sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       61. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of  claim 55 , together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium. 
     
     
       62. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:
 receive user input relating to audio content; 
 in response to the user input, apply an algorithm to data representing said audio content; 
 without further user input, take a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen; and 
 in response to a further user request, initiate a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen, of a page through which the user can make a purchase related to the content. 
 
     
     
       63. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 62  in which the algorithm comprises a watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       64. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 62  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       65. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 62  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation, and discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       66. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 62  in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:
 apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 take a first action that includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       67. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 62  in which the first action includes sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       68. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of  claim 62 , together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium. 
     
     
       69. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:
 receive user input relating to audio content; 
 in response to the user input, apply an algorithm to data representing said audio content; 
 without further user input, take a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen; and 
 in response to a further user request, initiate a second action, the second action leading to presentation, on the display screen, of a page through use of which the user can download additional content. 
 
     
     
       70. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 69  in which the algorithm comprises a watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       71. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 69  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       72. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 69  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation, and discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       73. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 69  in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:
 apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 take a first action that includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       74. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 69  in which the first action includes sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       75. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of  claim 69 , together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium. 
     
     
       76. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:
 receive user input relating to audio content; 
 in response to the user input, apply an algorithm to data representing said audio content; 
 without further user input, take a first action based on an output from said algorithm, said first action including presenting first information on a display screen; and 
 in response to a further user request, initiate a second action related to the content; 
 wherein the software instructions are operative to program the processor, as part of one of said actions, to: 
 send data to a remote computer system; 
 receive information including a web link in response; and 
 present a graphical feature associated with the web link on the display screen, for activation by the user. 
 
     
     
       77. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 76  in which the algorithm comprises a watermark decoding algorithm. 
     
     
       78. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 76  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       79. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 76  that contains software instructions operative to cause the user device processor to apply an algorithm that includes transforming the content data into a frequency domain representation, and discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in said frequency domain representation. 
     
     
       80. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 76  in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:
 apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on said data, discerning a pattern of spectral peaks in resultant transform data, and determining index data by reference to said discerned pattern; and 
 take a first action that includes transmitting the index data to a remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       81. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 76  in which the first action includes sending information based on an output from said algorithm to a remote computer system, receiving information responsive thereto, and presenting received information on the display screen, the presented information including a web link. 
     
     
       82. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of  claim 76 , together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium. 
     
     
       83. A computer readable physical storage medium containing non-transitory software instructions operative to cause a user device processor programmed by such software instructions to:
 receive a user request to process audio content data, and in response, apply the content to a content recognition process; and 
 following a successful recognition of the content:
 present first corresponding information on a display screen, and 
 display first and second user interface features on the display screen, the first user interface feature being selectable by the user to request further information about a creator of the content, the second user interface feature being selectable by the user to initiate a search. 
 
 
     
     
       84. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 83  in which the software instructions are also operative to cause the user device processor to perform said content recognition process, said content recognition process comprising a digital watermark decoding process. 
     
     
       85. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 83  in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to perform acts including transforming the content data into frequency domain data, discerning spectral peaks in the frequency domain data, and further processing information involving said peaks, said acts comprising part of the recognition process, the software instructions also being operative to cause the user device processor to transmit data resulting from said further processing to a remote computer system, and to receive information, including a web link, in response. 
     
     
       86. The computer readable physical storage medium of  claim 83  in which the software instructions are operative to cause the user device processor to:
 apply an algorithm that includes performing a Fourier transform based on the content data, identifying spectral peaks forming a pattern in resultant transform data, further processing information involving said peaks forming pattern to determine index data; 
 transmit the index data to a remote computer system; and 
 receive data relating to said first corresponding information in response. 
 
     
     
       87. A computer device that includes the computer readable storage medium of  claim 83 , together with a display screen, a user interface, and a processor, wherein the processor is programmed by the software instructions of said storage medium.